Songs and credits at the end.
One of the first things that struck me when I saw the trailer of A Gentleman was how it shares its title with a 90s musical hit by A R Rahman in Tamil (which was subjected to an uncredited and atrocious “adaptation” by Anu Malik into Hindi). Turns out that is not the only instance of a musical throwback in the soundtrack. The dance floor friendly Baat Ban Jaaye – phrase which is bound to evoke memories of Biddu-Nazia Hassan hit Aap Jaisa Koi – has its second verse lyrically referencing Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho and third verse Dhal Gaya Din Ho Gayi Shaam, though matching neither song in musical quality. Indie singer Sid Basrur and lyricist Priya Saraiya’s vocal energy prop the song up to an extent, nevertheless. Another song that works more for its quality of vocals than for the composition itself, is Laagi Naa Chhoote. The beautifully harmonised singing by Arijit Singh and Shreya Ghoshal are the clear highlight of the very familiar sounding melodic piece.
Composers Sachin Jigar have always shown a penchant for experimentation in their songs, a quality that has been employed really well by directors Raj and DK in the past. And some of it shows in A Gentleman as well. Benny Dayal and Shirley Sethia’s Disco Disco for instance has Tapas Roy’s tumbi appearing amidst the funky dance-y elements. The song isn’t a patch on the last track in the same genre the duo created for Meri Pyaari Bindu earlier this year though. In Chandralekha (another old song title!) the composers deliver the retro vibes well though, with some splendid saxophone usage in the process and helped well by Vayu’s tongue in cheek Hinglish lyrics. The soundtrack’s best is Bandook Meri Laila, a song that carries a rather chilled out vibe for something replete with references to guns and shootings and explosions. The Lean On-esque electronic base is an over-used one, but the composers build on it quite smartly, even adding the occasional gunshots to go with the lyrical theme.
Sachin-Jigar delivers a relatively weaker soundtrack for Raj and DK in A Gentleman.
MusicAloud Rating – 2.5/5
Top Recos: Bandook Meri Laila, Chandralekha
This review first appeared in the Mumbai edition of the Hindu.
Musician Credits
1. Song – Disco Disco
Singers – Benny Dayal & Shirley Setia
Music – Sachin- Jigar
Lyrics – VAYU
Arranged & Programmed by Sachin – Jigar
Music Label – T-Series
Additional Details:
Music Production Head – Romil Ved
Live instruments –
Tumbi -Tapas Roy
Mix & Mastered – Eric Pillai ( Future Sound Of Bombay)
Mix assistant engineers- Michael Edwin Pillai & Lucky
Music Video Director – Bosco Martis
Music Video Director of Photography – Sunil Patel
Music Video Production Designer – Dipankar Dasgupta
2. Song: Baat Ban Jaye
Singers: Siddharth Basrur & Priya Saraiya
Music: Sachin – Jigar
Lyrics: Priya Saraiya
Music Label: T-Series
:::::Additional Song Details::::::
Arranged & Programmed by Sachin-Jigar
Music Production Head: Romil Ved
Guitars: Krishna Pradhan
Mix & Mastered: Eric Pillai (Future Sound Of Bombay)
Mix Assistant Engineers: Michael Edwin Pillai & Lucky
3. Song – Chandralekha
Singers – Vishal Dadlani & Jonita Gandhi
Music – Sachin- Jigar
Lyrics – Vayu
Music Label: T-Series
:::::Additional Song Details::::::
Arranged & Programmed By Sachin – Jigar
Additional Programming & Saxophone – Shirish Malhotra
Music Production Head – Romil Ved
Live Instruments –
Guitars – Kalyan Baruah
Mix & Mastered – Eric Pillai ( Future Sound Of Bombay)
Mix Assistant Engineers- Michael Edwin Pillai & Lucky
4.Song: Laagi Na Choote
Singer: Arijit Singh & Shreya Ghoshal
Music: Sachin- Jigar
Lyrics: Priya Saraiya
Music Label: T-Series
Music Production Head – Romil Ved
Live Instruments – Piano -Rinku Rajput
Guitars -Kalyan Baruah
5.Song – Bandook Meri Laila
Singers – Ash King, Jigar Saraiya, Feat Raftaar. Introducing Sidharth Malhotra
Music – Sachin- Jigar
Lyrics – VAYU
Music Label – T-Series
Arranged & Programmed by Sachin – Jigar
Music Production Head – Romil Ved
Mix & Mastered – Eric Pillai ( Future Sound Of Bombay)
Mix assistant engineers- Michael Edwin Pillai & Lucky
